25 Places To Eat In and Around Columbia, SC

Sharing is caring!

If you find your travels taking you to Columbia, SC or the surrounding area count yourself very lucky because the food scene is extraordinary and diverse offering something for everyone.

We’re sharing our top picks from the region. Of course, there are many more options, but if you prefer a shorter list to pick from one of the 25 places we suggest. 

25 Places To Eat In and Around Columbia, South Carolina

WHERE TO EAT IN COLUMBIA, SC

There are more than 60 restaurants in Columbia’s Vista neighborhood alone. When you include travel along South Carolina’s Famous BBQ trail in The Midlands and the greater Columbia area your choices of where to eat are almost limitless. 

Many foodie favorites include:

• Hunter Gatherer Brewery – Enjoy the neighborhood ambiance at this brewery and ale house with delicious bites.
• Motor Supply Bistro Co. – Rotating farm to fork restaurant. So many good eats and a place I’m returning to when I’m back in the area.
• Maurice’s Piggie Park – Barbequed meats smoked naturally with local 100% hickory and oak wood in a one-of-a-kind barbecue pit that operates 24 hours a day.
• Smoked – A combination of smoked meats and raw oysters blend into a unique culinary experience.
• Blue Marlin – You will find the best of the Lowcountry and Coastal Louisiana, seasoned to modern tastes, and served up with a generous portion of Southern hospitality.
• Spotted Salamander – Inventive southern cuisine and a popular lunch spot, get there early.
• Hall’s Chophouse – Columbia’s premier steakhouse, we offer wet and dry-aged USDA Prime and Choice Beef as well as locally sourced fish, poultry, vegetarian and gluten-free options.
• M Vista – Melting pot of northern and southern Chinese cuisine, Korean style BBQ, Vietnamese- and Thai-influenced dishes, and Japanese sushi.
• DiPrato’s – Delectable food, beautiful décor, and a beguiling balance: friendly service and a pleasant, neighborly feeling. Be sure to try their famous pita chips and pimento cheese!

WHERE TO EAT IN NEWBERRY, SC

If you find yourself in Newberry, named by the “Travel Channel” as one of the 50 most “charming small towns,” where they are known for wine-tasting. 

Three great options include:

• Figaro the Dining Room – Housed in a former bank, the cuisine includes an eclectic fusion of international classics with a home grown feel.
• SteelHorse SmokeHouse – Known for their brisket and barbecue but customers say that the fried green tomatoes topped with homemade pimento cheese, pulled pork, and drizzled with BBQ sauce are amazing.
• Laila’s Place – One stop for a savory and sweet lunch. You’ll enjoy everything from salads and sandwiches to cookies and donuts.

WHERE TO EAT IN LEXINGTON, SC 

Lexington has become a gastronomic playground full of snacking, dining, and drinking opportunities with more than 70 unique and multicultural restaurants.

Here’s our picks for Lexington:

• Bodhi Thai Dining – Fresh, exquisite, and “Modern Thai” cuisine.
• O’Hara’s Public House – Irish classics alongside the best of Regional American comfort foods and a wide selection of beer, wine and liquors served in a warm, traditional Irish Pub atmosphere.
• Alodia’s Cucina Italiana – Alodia’s fare and ambiance resounds with the smells and tastes of Old Italy. Fresh, homemade sauces and Abruzzo pasta and wines are the foundation of the menu.
• Mediterranean Café – Local and authentic Mediterranean cuisine.
• Flight Deck Restaurant – Aviation-themed dining focused on your family and friends in a casual atmosphere. Kids, young and old – enjoy the largest arcade in the Lexington area.

WHERE TO EAT IN CHAPIN, SC

• Catch 22 – Upscale seafood restaurant and bar offering the freshest seafood, friendly service, and a warm welcoming atmosphere.
• Chophouse of Chapin – Steakhouse located in Chapin Commons featuring aged steaks, delicious desserts, a large selection of spirits & an in-house wine sommelier.

WHERE TO EAT IN WEST COLUMBIA, SC

• Terra – Simple food with creative, local ingredients, a renowned wine list, and the best views of Columbia.
• Al’s Upstairs – From seafood to pasta, Al’s has the fine cuisine you’re looking for. The view of the Columbia skyline is spectacular from almost any table in the restaurant.
• DeLucca’s Italian Grill – Serving an assortment of Italian dishes and pizza. Everything is made in house including fresh bread baked daily and pizza dough batches mixed every morning.

WHERE TO EAT IN IRMO, SC

• Liberty on the Lake – Great bistro with awesome water views. Definitely worth the visit.

WHERE TO EAT IN SALUDA COUNTY

In the rolling farmlands of Saluda County, you’ll find more than 700 farms, including peach and pecan orchards, which inspires some memorable meals.

• Juniper – Bringing you the freshest local produce and food with a weekly changing menu.
• The Nut House and Country Market – Where pecans are grown, harvested, and transformed into gourmet treats, candies, and pies.  

OTHER THINGS TO DO IN CAPITAL CITY / LAKE MURRAY COUNTRY

Columbia Museum of Art – Stands as a doorway to a world of color, history, diversity, and innovation.

Riverbanks Zoo – Home to approximately 2,000 animals and a botanical garden with 4,300 species of plants.

Congaree National Park – The only National Park in South Carolina and one of the few places you can watch synchronized fireflies.

Find More Fun Around Columbia, SC

This 150-Mile South Carolina Road Trip is Packed with Fun, Food and Adventure

This Underrated National Park Is A South Carolina National Treasure